The College of Staten Island Emergency Procedure Guide was prepared by the College of Staten Island Department of Public Safety to assist members of the campus community to report and deal with on and off campus emergency situations
appropriately. It combines current College of Staten Island policies and procedures along with recommended guidelines from various government agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, NYC Office of Emergency Management, NYC Fire Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Postal Service and the Centers for Disease Control. While it is impossible to produce a document that is all-inclusive, this publication addresses the most common emergencies that have occurred in the past and those that may occur in the future.

We all play a critical role during emergency response procedures. Students and visitors may not be thoroughly familiar with the campus, the hazards presented, or the procedures that should be followed to ensure their health and safety in the event of an emergency. They will depend on us for immediate direction and assistance.

Please become familiar with this guide and review its contents at faculty and staff meetings. Your knowledge will make a difference during an emergency and could save lives.

Callext. 2111 to contact
Public Safety, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Call 911 to report emergencies directly
to the New York City Police, Fire and Emergency dial Services.
If calling 911 while on campus, also call Public Safety
at x2111 so we can expedite the emergency response.

For smoke or fire, pull the Fire Alarm Pull Boxes, which
are bright red in color, located adjacent to all fire exits.Lifting
the cover and pulling down the handle activates the alarm.
A signal is sent to the fire command station in the main
lobby and to a central dispatch station that notifies the
FDNY. When pulled, this device will also activate an audible
fire alarm.

Public Safety Emergency Call Boxes are located in all campus buildings in corridors, stairwells and places of public assembly throughout the various campus buildings. Additionally, Blue Light Call Boxes are located throughout the college campus.

In the event that a person threatens the personal safety of members of our College community, the Department of Public Safety would like you to be aware of the guidelines for active shooter situations. This guide cannot cover every possible situation that might occur, but it is a tool that can reduce the number of injuries or deaths if put into action as soon as an intruder situation develops. An appropriate early response is the most important factor in the optimal management of these types of situations.

Active Shooter on Campus
When an active shooter or a hostile person is actively causing death or serious bodily injury or the threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury to a person within a building, we recommend the following procedures be implemented.
You have three (3) basic options:

Evacuate-Run.

Run. If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, then do so. If you decide to run, do not run a straight line.

Look and Listen to where the threat is. If you see members of the campus community fleeing from a particular area, this is a clear indication that the threat is in that area and may be coming towards you. Move away from the threat and away from the noise and commotion.

Lock yourself in - Hide. If you are near an office, lab or room that locks from the inside, this will be a good option. Remember most classrooms cannot be locked from the inside.

Remain as quiet and calm as possible.

Call 911 and Public Safety at (718) 982-2111 or extension 2111.

Turn off lights and all audio equipment. Place cell phones on vibrate.

Lock all windows. Cover and stay away from windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into the hallway.

Remain under lockdown until advised by the Public Safety or NYPD law enforcement personnel that the crisis has been resolved.

Take action - Fight.

Engage as a last resort, when your life is in danger. Act as aggressively as possible to incapacitate the shooter. Use improvised weapons or throw items.

Commit to your actions. The situation is not hopeless.

Actions to Avoid :

Do not run in a straight line.

Do not sound the fire alarm

Do not scream

Whatever option that seems best for you; remember to call 911 and Public Safety at (718) 982-2111 or direct at ext. 2111. Obey all Public Safety and/or police commands and warn others.

An Alcohol and Drug Abuse Crisis can result from ingesting substances haphazardly or beyond an individual’s normal ability to cope with the ingested amount or the consequence.

An alcohol or drug overdose can be rapidly fatal. Call Public Safety at ext. 2111 to request an ambulance if a person is:

Responding poorly to stimuli

Unconscious (no response to stimuli)

Having difficulty breathing

Out of control and a potential danger to self or others

If you aren’t sure about the physical well-being of the person

Before approaching or touching the person having an alcohol or drug abuse crisis, identify yourself to the individual and explain what you intend to do. Talk calmly in a non-challenging manner and orient individual to time, place, and condition if needed. Try to find out what the individual has consumed and how much, including whether alcohol was mixed with other drugs (prescription medication or illegal drugs) so responding emergency personnel can be informed.

Make certain someone stays with individual. If the individual wishes to lie down, have lie on/her side to avoid asphyxiation. If the person is convulsing, do not attempt to put any object in the mouth and do not restrain.

People who are under the influence of alcohol/drugs can be irrational and/or dangerous. NEVER PUT YOURSELF AT PHYSICAL RISK.

Bombings or threats of bombing are now harsh realities in today's world. While most bomb threats turn out to be hoaxes and most suspicious packages are harmless, it is important that all threats and suspicious objects be treated seriously. Time is of the essence when a bomb threat is received and we must be ready to react quickly and efficiently to minimize the risk of injury to students, staff, faculty and visitors. These guidelines are designed to help College of Staten Island community members prepare for the potential threat of explosive-related violence. These guidelines and a Bomb Threat Checklist should be kept next to every college telephone.(Please Click Here for Bomb Threat Checklist in PDF format)

Telephone Threat Response - A calm response to a bomb threat caller could result in obtaining additional information. This is especially true if the caller wishes to avoid injuries or deaths. If told that the building is occupied or cannot be evacuated in time, the bomber may be willing to give more specific information on the bomb's location, components, or method of initiation. When a bomb threat is called in:

Keep the caller on the line aslong as possible. Do not interrupt except to ask the caller to speaklouder, slower or to repeat the message.

Record pertinent information on a Bomb Threat Checklist. Do not hang up until the caller hangs up.

If the caller does not indicatethe location of the bomb or time of possible detonation, ask him/her forthis information.

Inform the caller that the building is occupied and the detonation of a bomb can result in death or serious injury to many innocent people.

Pay particular attention to background noises, such as motors running, music playing, vehicle traffic and any other noise, which may give a clue as to the location of the caller.

Listen closely to the voice(male or female), the mood of the caller (calm, excited, despondent, etc.), accents or speech impediments.

Report the threat to Public Safety at ext. 2111 immediately after the caller hangs up. Public Safety will then implement its bomb threat response procedure.

Remain available in the event that law enforcement personnel want to interview you.

Written Threat Response - While written threats are usually associated with generalized threats and extortion attempts, a written warning of a specific device may occasionally be received.

Save all materials including the envelope.

Once the message is recognized as a threat, further unnecessary handling should be avoided in order to evidence.

Report the threat to Public Safety at ext. 2111. Public Safety will then implement its bomb threat response procedure.

Remain available in the event that law enforcement personnel want to interview you.

Building Coordinators and Floor Coordinators are designated by the College President as the primary point of contact with occupants in a particular building. Some of the duties of the Coordinators are:

Act as Fire Warden and assist in the orderly evacuation of the building. (Pursuant to NYFD Fire Code and NYS Education Law Section 807 ‑ Fire Drills).

Assist in identifying hazards and communicating repair needs to the appropriate campus authority.

Conduct building specific training and drills in conjunction with campus authorities.

The following is a listing of College of Staten Island Building Coordinators & Fire Wardenswho are assigned to various locations in each building. Building Coordinators& Fire Wardens will assist in evacuating their designated section and then assist other coordinators until the entire building is evacuated.

College of Staten Island has historically provided a very safe learning environment with a low incidence of serious crime occurring while on campus grounds. If you observe a crime in progress or are a victim of a crime please be guided by the following:

Do not attempt to apprehend or interfere with the criminal except in case of self-protection. If possible, move to a safe location.

In the event of a robbery, do not resist.

If safe to do so, attempt to get a good description of the criminal. If the criminal is entering vehicle, note the license number, make, model, color and outstanding characteristics of the vehicle.

If you observe a crime or are a victim, call Public Safety at ext. 2111 and advise us of the following information:

Your name

Location of incident

Description of the suspects involved (clothing and physical features)

Injuries that have occurred

Description of any weapons involved

Description of property involved

The suspect's direction of travel and vehicle description(if applicable)

Make sure that the officer understands that the incident is in progress

If possible, stay on the line with the officer until help arrives. Keep the officer updated on any changes in the situation so responding personnel can be updated. Even if you cannot communicate, keep the line open so the officer listening in can learn more about what is happening.

An “Emergency Closing” has been defined as a cancellation of classes due to weather, transportation, power outage or other major emergency.

In the event that prevailing emergency conditions cause serious disruption to the public transportation system or make other means of traveling hazardous, College of Staten Island may be closed until conditions improve. If there is a threat of a snow emergency (Monday through Friday) when the college is scheduled to be in session, information concerning the college's status can be heard on the following radio stations, web or by calling the telephone numbers listed below:

Telephone Numbers

If you are on campus during an “Emergency Closing” declaration, please follow the directions of Public Safety Officers to depart the campus safely. Please use stairs, do not use elevators.

If you are stranded on campus during an “Emergency Closing” please call the Public Safety Office at ext. 2111 or 2116 and follow their instructions.

Disabled Persons
Public Safety maintains class schedules and office locations of all disabled students who may require assistance when evacuating. Public Safety Officers will check these locations along with the “Evacuation Assembly Area”during evacuations.

Emergency Preparations:
Please inform either the Public Safety Office at (718) 982-2116 or Mr. Vincent Bono at Building & Grounds (718) 982-3210 immediately if you know of equipment or other furnishings that must be secured or otherwise removed in order to minimize the risk of personal injury or property damage.

Emergency Response:
In the event of a related emergency such as flooding, broken glass or unsecured equipment, please call Public Safety (718 982-2116 or ext. 2111)

The following is a listing of the college buildings and proposed EMERGENCY
EVACUATION ROUTES from various locations in each building. Once you have evacuated
you should proceed away from the building and listen for instructions from
a Public Safety Officer. If necessary, for safety reasons, you will be instructed
to further evacuate towards one of our designated Re-Assembly Points.
Primary Re-Assembly Point - Sports & Recreation (Gymnasium) Building 1RBackup Re-Assembly Point – Center for the Arts – Building 1P
Backup Re-Assembly Point – Library – Building 1L

Academic Buildings
Exits from the Academic Buildings are at the main entrance facing the front of each building. Emergency exits are clearly marked and are located at the tower exits on both sides of the buildings.

Science Building – 6S
Exits from the Science Building are at the main entrance, located on the ground level and southwest side of the building facing parking lot # 2, and the ground level on the east side of the building facing the south quad. An emergency exit is located in the lower level loading dock area on the south side of the building.

Administrative Buildings
Exits from South Administrative Building (1A) are located on the ground floor on all sides of the building. Emergency exits are clearly marked and are located on the lower levels on south and west sides of the building.

Exits from the North Administrative Building (2A) are located on the ground floor on all sides of the building. Emergency exits are clearly marked and are located on the lower levels on north and west sides of the building.

Exits from the West Administrative Building (3A) are located on the ground floor at the main entrance on the east side of the building and rear exit located on the west side of the building. Emergency exits are clearly marked at ground level and are located on the north and south sides of the building.

Library
Exits from the Main Library are located at the main entrance located on the ground level on the north side of the building, on the east side of the building and on the ground level in the Cyber Café. Emergency exits are clearly marked on the ground level on all sides of the building.

Center for the Arts

Exits from the Theater & Auditorium Building are located at the main entrances on the ground level on both east and west wings. The classroom sections of the Center for the Arts exits are located at the ground level on both the north and south wings facing the courtyard. Disability Services exit is located on the north side of the classroom section (Rm. 101) for the Center for the Arts. Emergency exits are clearly marked throughout all sides of the building on the ground floor and loading dock area.

Student Center

Exits are located throughout the ground floor on all sides of the building. Emergency exits are clearly marked and are located in the Health Center (Rm. 112), north side Park Café, south wing WSIA Radio Station, east side kitchen area, east side loading dock, and west side Green Dolphin Lounge.

Sports and Recreation Center (Gymnasium)

Exits are located at the north side main entrance located on the ground floor, 2nd floor main entrance located on the south side upper level and east side upper level adjacent to room 204-O. Emergency exits are clearly marked and located throughout the ground floor on the south side of the main gymnasium, west side of the main gymnasium, north side of the auxiliary gymnasium, west side of the auxiliary gymnasium, north side loading dock area and south side ground level of the building.

Techniques for evacuating persons with disabilities vary with the nature of the disability. If a person with a disability cannot be evacuated, he/she should be moved to a designated enclosed fire stairwell that is a good distance away from the hazard. Designated emergency evacuation areas have been established and are clearly marked “Evacuation Assembly Area.” These areas are generally in the lobby area of each building.

Public Safety maintains class schedules and office locations of all students with disabilities who may require assistance during evacuations. A copy of these schedules are at the fire command station, Public Safety Officers will check these locations along with the “Evacuation Assembly Area” during evacuations.

Always ask a person with a disability how you can help before giving emergency evacuation assistance. Ask how they can best be assisted or moved, and if there are any special considerations or items that need to come with them.

For persons with mobility impairments, it may be necessary to help clear the exit route of debris, if possible.

For persons with a visual disability, give verbal instructions while assisting in an evacuation. Do not grasp a visually impaired person's arm. Ask if he or she would like to hold your arm as you exit, especially in crowds or debris covered areas.

For persons with auditory disabilities, get the attention of the person by touch or eye contact. Gestures and pointing are helpful, but be prepared to write a brief statement if that person does not seem to understand.

Do not use elevators unless authorized by FDNY personnel.

Do not attempt a rescue evacuation unless you had rescue training or the person is in immediate danger and cannot wait for professional assistance.

IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE

Pull the nearest fire alarm box on the floor; call 911 and Public Safety at x2111. Be prepared to give the following information:

Specific condition (smoke, fire, etc.)

Specific location (building, floor, room)

Your name and location

Notify those in the immediate area of the danger.

Assist in removing any disabled person from the immediate area.

Follow the directions of Building & Floor Coordinators, Fire Wardens, Public Safety Officers and Building & Grounds personnel.

Know your Emergency Evacuation Route in advance. Also be prepared to use an alternate exit in case your primary route is obstructed. Plan how you would escape in case of a fire. Know your escape routes well enough to be able to make your way in the dark or in dense smoke.

When the evacuation alarm sounds - you must leave the building!!!!!!

It is a violation of New York State Law to fail to leave a building when the fire alarm is sounding. Always assume it is a real emergency and leave the building. It is unlawful for any person to prevent a person from leaving the building or to order a person to remain in a building when the alarm is sounding.

Be aware that whenever the fire alarm sounds it may signal a very real emergency situation.

Remain calm and proceed to evacuate the area in an orderly manner. Do not rush, push or panic. Rely on planning and knowledge.

Assist disabled persons to evacuate the area. Be particularly aware of persons with sight or hearing disabilities.

If there is smoke, stay low, it will be easier to breathe.

Before opening any door, touch the door with the back of your hand. Do not open a door that is warm or hot.

Close doors behind you to prevent fire spread, but make sure that you can reopen them if you need to retreat.

Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are located on every floor inside each fire stair should be used to extinguish small fires only. Insure that you have a clear escape route before using an extinguisher. An easy way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher is to remember the acronym PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.

PULL the pin. This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

AIM at the base of the fire. If you aim at the flames, the extinguishing agent will fly right through. You want to hit the fuel.

SQUEEZE the top handle lever. This depresses a button that releases the pressurized extinguishing agent.

SWEEP from side to side until the fire is completely out. Start using the extinguisher from a safe distance away, and then move forward. Once the fire is out, keep an eye on the area in case it re-ignites.

Hazardous Materials
In addition to use in student laboratories, CSI uses chemicals and chemical products throughout the campus for maintenance, housekeeping, reprographics, and other purposes. The following should be done if a hazardous chemical is spilled in the building:

Immediately report any spillage of hazardous chemicals to Public Safety at ext. 2111.

When reporting the incident, be specific about the nature of the involved material and the exact location. Public Safety will contact Buildings & Grounds and outside emergency response agencies if necessary.

The affected area should be evacuated immediately and sealed off to prevent further contamination of other areas until the arrival of Public Safety, Building & Grounds or other emergency service personnel.

Anyone who may be contaminated by the spill should avoid contact with others as much as possible. Remain in the vicinity and give your name to Public Safety, so any required first aid and clean up can be performed by the appropriate emergency service personnel.

If an emergency exists that requires a building evacuation, activate the nearest fire alarm (as a precaution also report the emergency by telephone).

Outdoor Environmental Release of a Hazardous Material

If a campus emergency ever involves an outdoor environmental release of a hazardous material you should be prepared to remain inside the building. Air quality may be threatened and sheltering in place keeps you inside an area offering more protection.
The HVAC system will be shut down as a precaution. You will be asked to remain in the building until it is determined that it is safe to leave.

A hostage situation is said to exist when a person(s) is held or confined against his or her will by one or more individuals. This can occur with or without force or the threat of force and with or without a weapon. Usually, certain demands are made in return for the release of the hostage(s).Hostage takers can be terrorists, fleeing felons, emotionally disturbed persons and past or present disgruntled employees. It should be noted that College of Staten Island Public Safety personnel are unarmed and will require the assistance of the NYPD in all hostage situations.

If you are a witness to a hostage situation:
Notify Public Safety at ext. 2111 immediately and be prepared to tell the officer the following:

Location of the incident

Description of the hostage taker(s)

Type(s) of weapons used (handgun, shotgun, knife, explosive, etc.)

Alert others in the immediate area of the situation.

Evacuate from the area.

If you are unable to evacuate safely, lock and close your door until notified by NYPD that it is safe to leave.

While the likelihood of receiving a bomb through the mail is remote, letter or package bombs represent an alternate delivery method if the motive of the attack is to inflict injury on a specific individual. Bombs can be constructed to look like almost anything and can be placed or delivered in a number of ways. Their appearance is limited only by the imagination of the sender. However, the following characteristics may help you in identifying a suspicious letter or package:

Feel & Balance - Letters feel rigid, appear uneven or lopsided or are bulkier or heavier than normal. Sponginess or undue pressure can be felt through the package. Contents of the parcel may make a "sloshing" noise.

Place of Origin - Check the delivery postmark to see if the place of origin is familiar. Check to see if letter shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address

Foreign Packages - If the item is from another country ask yourself if it is expected. Look for foreign writing, addresses and postage.

Unusual Addressing or Delivery Instructions - There are unusually restrictive endorsements such as "Personal," "Private" and "Confidential" or there is no return address.

Packaging- Packaging wrapped in string are automatically suspicious, as modern packaging materials have eliminated the need for twine or string.

Postage- Excess postage on small packages or letters indicate that the Post Office did not weigh the object. No postage or non-cancelled postage should also be a warning.

Writing- Handwritten notes such as "Fragile," "Rush" or "Prize Enclosed," a foreign style of writing (not normally received), misspelling of common names, places or titles and mail addressed to generic or incorrect titles should be treated with caution.

Odor- The mail or package emits the smell of marzipan or almonds or any other peculiar odor.

College of Staten Island consists of over twenty buildings spread throughout our 200 acre campus. If a major criminal incident is occurring on campus or in the in the immediate vicinity of the college or if fleeing criminal has entered the College Lockdown Planmight be implemented.

The Perimeter Lockdown Plan is designed to prevent the criminal incident from spilling over onto our campus, entering our buildings, endangering members of the campus community, while at the same time allowed law enforcement to contain the situation.

If you observe a major criminal incident which is occurring in the vicinity of the college, call Public Safety at Ext. 2111, and provide us with the following information:

Location of incident

Description and number of persons involved (clothing and physical features)

Injuries that have occurred

Description of any weapons involved

The suspect's direction of travel and vehicle description(if applicable)

Make sure that the officer understands that the incident is in progress and in the vicinity of the campus.

College of Staten Island Public Safety Officers will secure the perimeter of the campus including closing gates and restricting both pedestrian and vehicle access inside our fence line.

College of Staten Island Public Safety Officers will also begin to secure the exit doors of our campus buildings.

Shelter in Place
When an announcement is made to initiate an emergency lockdown, the CSI campus community may be advised to “Shelter in Place” in the following manner:

Proceed to an area that can be secured. (Offices can self-lock / Classrooms need a key)

All doors into the area should be locked. If it is not possible to lock the doors, place furniture and equipment in front of them to barricade them. Some doors open out into the corridor. In this situation, use whatever means possible to try to restrict entry to the room, including placing furniture and equipment in front of the door, or using a belt or other item to tie the door handle to something stable.

Move to the point in the room that is most distant from a door entering the room from the outside or from a corridor/hallway. Do not huddle, but spread out.

Close blinds and drapes for concealment.

Turn off lights. Put cell phones on vibrate, and if communication is needed, use text messaging only.

Remain under lockdown until advised by the Public Safety Director or NYPD Law Enforcement Personnel that the crisis has been resolved.

After the lockdown order has been lifted, faculty and staff should then attempt to restore normalcy and comfort/assist the room occupants.

For the workplace, where you might be confined for several hours, or perhaps overnight, the following supplies are recommended.

Flashlight with extra batteries
Use the flashlight to find your way if the power is out. Do not use candles or any other open flame for emergency lighting.

Battery-powered radio
News about the emergency may change rapidly as events unfold. You also will be concerned about family and friends in the area. Radio reports will give information about the areas most affected.

Food
Enough non-perishable food to sustain you for at least one day (three meals), is suggested. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. The following items are suggested:
• Ready-to-eat canned meals, meats, fruits, etc.
• Canned juices.
• High-energy foods (granola bars, energy bars, etc.).

Water
Keep at least one gallon of water available, or more if you are on medications that require water or that increase thirst. Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.

Medications
Include usual non-prescription medications that you take, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, etc. If you use prescription medications, keep at least a three-day' supply of these medications at your workplace. Consult with your physician or pharmacist how these medications should be stored, and your employer about storage concerns.

If you are in an area where power has failed, call Public Safety at ext. 2111, providing the officer with your name, location and department. Describe the nature of the problem and any additional locations that are without power.

If the power failure occurs during daylight hours, open blinds and doors to maximize available outside light.

College of Staten Island is equipped with emergency lighting. If the lights are out, proceed cautiously to an area that has emergency lights.

If you are trapped in an elevator, remain calm and use the emergency telephone or call button.

Should an electrical or mechanical systems failure occur in the building, it might become necessary to evacuate the facility. Public Safety will seek input from Building & Grounds prior to making a decision.

Public Safety personnel will advise you when to evacuate the building. If requested, evacuate the building immediately. After evacuating from the building move away from the building's entrance.

A psychological crisis exists when an individual is threatening harm to himself/herself or to others, or is out of touch with reality due to a severe drug reaction or a psychotic break. Hallucinations, uncontrollable behavior, or complete withdrawal may manifest a psychotic break.

To report a psychological crisis call Public Safety at ext. 2111 and tell the officer the following:

Hurricanes – Hurricanes are destructive storms with sustained winds of more than 74 miles per hour can flatten homes, topple trees and turn loose objects into deadly projectiles. The storm's driving winds and torrential rains can cause massive and dangerous flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage areas. Hurricane season lasts from June to November and New York City is most at risk between August and October.

When a Hurricane Watch is announced, it means a hurricane may affect New York City within 36 hours the announcement. The City of New York would activate its Emergency Operations Center on a 24-hour basis at the Office of Emergency Management.

Listen to local media (television and radio) for instructions.

Find out if you live in one of New York City's hurricane evacuation zones. Residents of an evacuation zone would have to follow special procedures if a hurricane seems likely to make landfall near New York City. Evacuees would need to seek shelter farther inland, with friends or family outside of the storm surge area. During a Hurricane Watch, residents should think carefully about where they would go if evacuation instructions were issued.

Prepare to be self-sufficient for at least three days without help or emergency services. Assume that many of the streets and stores in your neighborhood will be closed. Disruptions to electricity, gas, water or telephone service may also occur.

Tornadoes - Though infrequent, tornadoes have occurred in New York City. In August 1990, an F1 tornado struck Staten Island, injuring three people. And in October 1995, a more intense F1 tornado struck Staten Island again, causing some property damage, but no injuries. Most recently, an F0 tornado and a "gustnado" occurred in Staten Island's Bullshead and Willowbrook areas on October 27, 2003. The F0 tornado was responsible for uprooting eight trees and causing minor property damage and the "gustnado" uprooted a 30-foot pine tree.

Go to the basement or the lowest point in a building. If an underground shelter is not available, move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.

Stay away from windows.

Get out of automobiles.

Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; leave it immediately for safe shelter.

If you cannot find shelter, take cover in a ditch or other recessed area and cover your head with your. Do NOT take cover under an overpass or bridge.

Avoid places with wide-span roofs, such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways or shopping malls.

Watch out for fallen power lines and stay away from damaged areas.

Listen to the radio for information and instructions.

Earthquakes - While some areas of the country are especially prone to earthquakes, it is important to remember they can happen anywhere at any time. This point was evident on August 23 2011, when an earthquake in Virginia that was felt hundreds of miles away in New York. Keep in mind aftershocks can occur days, weeks and even months after the initial earthquake. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) recommends the following safety guidance in the event of an earthquake.

If Indoors

Drop to the ground. Take cover by getting under a sturdy table and hold on. Stay inside until the shaking stops.

Stay away from glass or anything that can fall, like light fixtures and furniture.

Do not use elevators.

If Outdoors

Stay where you are if you are not near any buildings, streetlights or utility wires.

Do not move from the area you are in until the shaking stops. Remember that aftershocks can be just as bad as the earthquake itself.

In a Moving Vehicle

Stop as quickly as possible, but stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses and utility wires.

Proceed cautiously once the shaking has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that have been damaged.

If You Are Trapped Under Debris

Do not light a match because materials or fumes around you could ignite.

Do not move frantically or kick up dust because you could injure yourself.

Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing to protect yourself from breathing in dust and other airborne items.

Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Shout only as a last resort because it could cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Should you become a sex crime victim on or near the campus, the college recommends a prompt report to both the NYPD (911) and Public Safety at ext. 2111, so that the public interest can be served. Reporting an incident helps:

Identify and apprehend the assailant Maintains future options regarding criminal and civil action against the assailant

Protects the victim and others from future assaults from the same assailant

Reporting an incident is a separate step from choosing to prosecute. Our first concern is the victim’s welfare and ensuring that proper treatment and support is provided. When a person files a report he/she is not obligated to continue with legal proceedings.

The preservation of evidence including biological, chemical, and environmental substances may be essential to successful prosecution; victims are urged to obtain emergency medical treatment before washing, laundering apparel, or discarding wipes.

Local telephone service and assistance will be provided to facilitate notifications, victim services, and transportation arrangements. In addition, College of Staten Island counseling professionals will do all they can to assist a victim of sexual assault including help in changing academic and life situations, if requested by the victim and if these changes are reasonably available.

In addition to a supply of food and water, the College of Staten Island is equipped with emergency generator power and in an extreme emergency, has the ability to shelter the campus community for several days. An example of this type of emergency would be a “Power Outage” or a sudden “Shutdown of the Transportation System”. This type of emergency might prevent a member of the campus community from leaving the college and going home when the college is closed.

A decision to activate the College of Staten Island Shelter Plan will be made by the Operations Group and only when authorized by the College President or his designee.

If the College of Staten Island Shelter Planis activated and you are a member of the campus community (student, faculty, staff) and you are in need of emergency shelter.

Call X2111 or report to the Public Safety Office which is located in Building 2A, room 108.

Obtain a Shelter Plan Tracking Number at the Public Safety Office.

Meet with a member of the Shelter Plan Assessment Team to determine your individual needs.

Follow the instructions of the assessment team.

When emergency shelter is no longer needed, call or report to the Public Safety Office prior leaving the campus.

Recommendations of the FBI, U.S. Postal Service, and the Centers for Disease Control for identifying and handling suspicious mail and dealing with powder spills from letters and packages are on the following pages. Although any threatened use of a biological agent must be treated seriously, experience has demonstrated that most threats are likely to be hoaxes. Disease can be prevented after exposure to anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person.

How to Identify Suspicious Packages and Letters - Notify Public Safety at ext. 2111 if you receive a suspicious letter or package. Some characteristics of suspicious packages and letters include the following:

Excessive postage

Handwritten or poorly typed addresses

Incorrect titles

Title, but no name

Misspellings of common words

Oily stains, discoloration or odor

No return address

Excessive weight

Lopsided or uneven envelope

Protruding wires or aluminum foil

Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etc.

Visual distractions

Ticking sound

Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"

Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address.

How to Handle Suspicious Unopened Letters or
Packages

Notify Public Safety at ext.2111. Public Safety will notify NYPD via 911.

Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.

Do not pass the letter or package to others to look at.

Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage contents.

If you do not have any container, cover the envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, trashcan, etc.) and do not remove the cover.

Notify co-workers and students in the immediate area. If possible, try to avoid contact with others.

Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).

What to Do if Powder Spills Out of an Envelope
Immediately notify Public Safety at x2111 so they can notify Buildings and Grounds to turn off local fans or ventilation units in the area. Public Safety will also notify NYPD via 911.

Do not try to clean up the powder. Cover the spilled contents immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove the cover.

Advise co-workers and students in the immediate area. If possible, try to avoid contact with others.

Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).

Wash your hands with soapand waterto prevent spreading any powder to your face. Do Not Use Bleach or Other Disinfectant on Your Skin.

Remove heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic bag, or some other container that can be sealed. This clothing bag should be given to the emergency responders for proper handling.

Shower with soap and wateras soon as possible. Do Not Use Bleach or Other Disinfectant on Your Skin

Title 22 of the US Code, Section 2656f(d) defines terrorism as the premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience. Acts of terrorism range from threats of terrorism, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, bomb scares and bombings, computer based cyber attacks, to the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. High-risk targets include military and civilian government facilities, international airports, large cities and high-profile landmarks. Terrorists might also target large public gatherings, water and food supplies, utilities, and corporate centers.
In the immediate area of a terrorist event, you would need to rely on police, fire and other officials for instructions. However, you can prepare in much the same way you would prepare for other crisis events.

Preparing for Terrorism
Wherever you are, be aware of your surroundings. The very nature of terrorism suggests there may be little or no warning.

Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended. Unusual behavior, suspicious packages and strange devices should be promptly reported to the police or security personnel.

Do not be afraid to move or leave if you feel uncomfortable or if something does not seem right.

Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you frequent. Notice where exits are when you enter unfamiliar buildings. Plan how to get out of a building, subway or congested public area or traffic. Note where staircases are located. Notice heavy or breakable objects that could move, fall in an explosion.

Assemble a disaster supply kit at home and learn first aid. Separate the supplies you would take if you had to evacuate quickly, and put them in a backpack or container, ready to go.

Be familiar with different types of fire extinguishers and how to locate them.

Chemical Attack
Chemical warfare agentsare poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids or solids that have toxic effects. They can be released by bombs, sprayed from airplanes, boats, or vehicles, or used as a liquid to create a hazard to people and the environment. Some chemical agents may be odorless and tasteless. They can have an immediate effect (a few seconds to a few minutes) or a delayed effect (several hours to several days). General indicators of possible chemical agent usage include:

Biological Attack
Biological warfare agents are organisms or toxins that can kill or people. three basic groups of biological agents that would likely be used as weapons are bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Most biological agents are difficult to grow and maintain. Many break down quickly when exposed to sunlight and other environmental factors, while others such as anthrax are very long lived. Some biological, such as anthrax, do not cause contagious diseases. Others, like the smallpox virus, can result in diseases you can catch from other people.

Spraying biological agents in the air, or infecting animals that carry the disease to humans as well as through food and water contamination can disperse them. General indicators of possible biological agent usage include:

Unusual number of dead or dying animals/fish.

Unusual illness for the region/area.

Unusual liquids, sprays or vapors.

What to Do In Case of Chemical or Biological AttackProtection of breathing airways is the single most important thing a person can do in the event of a chemical or biological incident or attack. In most cases, absent a handy gas mask, the only sure way to protect an airway is to put distance between you and the source of the agent. Evacuate the area; cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief, coat sleeve or any piece of cloth to provide some moderate means of protection. Basic steps one can take to avoid or mitigate exposure to chemical or biological agents include:

If evacuation from the immediate area is impossible, move indoors (if outside) and upward to a room on a higher floor. Many agents are heavier than air and will tend to stay close to the ground.

Once indoors, close all windows and exterior doors and shut down air conditioning or heating systems to prevent circulation of air.

Cover your mouth and nose. If gas masks are not available, use a surgical mask or a handkerchief. An improvised mask can be made by soaking a clean cloth in a solution of 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water. this is not highly effective, it may provide some protection.

Cover bare arms and legs and make sure any cuts or abrasions are covered or bandaged.

If splashed with an agent, immediately wash it off using copious amounts of warm soapy water.

If in a car, shut off outside air intake vents and roll up windows if no gas has entered the vehicle. model cars may provide some protection from toxic agents.

In any case of suspected exposure to chemical or biological agents, no matter what the origin, medical assistance should be sought as soon as possible, even if no symptoms are immediately evident.

Radiation Attack
A radiation threat or "Dirty Bomb" is the use of common explosives to spread radioactive materials over a targeted area. It is not a nuclear blast. The force of the explosion and the radioactive contamination will be more localized. While the blast will be immediately obvious, the presence of radiation will not be clearly defined until trained personnel with specialized equipment are on the scene. As with any radiation, you want to try to limit exposure. To limit the amount of radiation you are exposed to, think about shielding, distance and time:

Shielding: If you have a thick shield between yourself and the radioactive material more of the radiation will be absorbed, and you will be exposed to less.

Distance: The farther away you are from the blast and the fallout the lower your exposure.

Time: Minimizing time spent exposed will also reduce your risk.

As with any emergency, local authorities may not be able to immediately provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet often for official news and

If smoke or odors come from the ventilation system, immediately notify Public Safety at ext. 2111. Public Safety will contact Building & Grounds. If necessary, cease all operations and vacate the area.